Aso-Oke is a short form of Aso Ilu Oke also known as Aso-Ofi meaning clothes from the up-country. It is the traditional wear of the Yoruba's
(the tribe of the southwest people in Nigeria, Africa). The Yoruba's are the second largest tribe in Nigeria after the Northerners. Aso-Oke is a cloth that is worn on special occasions by the Yoruba's usually for chieftancy, festivals, engagement, naming ceremony and other important events.

The beauty of Aso-Oke comes out more when it is taken as Aso-Ebi (group of people e.g. friends, families e.t.c). Cloth weaving (Aso-Oke) started centuries ago amongst the Yoruba's but predominantly amongst the Iseyin's (Oyo-State), Ede (Osun State) and Okene Kogi State. The fibres used for weaving are either locally sourced or brought from neighboring states (northern parts of the country).

PLANTING OF COTTONS:
The cotton is used in making the threads used in weaving Aso-Oke and it is mostly planted during the rainy season between the month of June and July. However the cottons would be ready for harvesting between November and February of the following year. Most cases after harvesting the cottons are kept in the bar for spinning.

SPINNING:
This is the process of separating the cotton seed from the wool. And in doing this a bow-like instrument called "Orun" in Yoruba language (Spindler). The weaver spread the wool and rolls it on the loom (the loom is a handmade wood used in weaving; this loom is usually made by local carpenters). The Spindler would be turned, and while it is being turned, it will start rotating thereby thinning the cotton. This is done on a continuos basis till all the wool has been spinned.

SORTING:
Cotton behaves like magnates thus easily attracting dirt; therefore the dirt's has to be separated from the wool in order to make the wool fit for use. This process is known as sorting and there are machines for these purposes but in the absence of non, it can be sorted out manually. This is very tedious and time consuming.

PATTERNING:
This is the process where designs and patterns are made on the Aso-Oke while the cloth is being woven. The material used in cloth pattering includes the following:
- Akata (propeller)
- Iye (long wheel)
- Akawo (shortwheel)
- Gowu and kikgun (rollers)
- Aasa (strikers)
- Omu (extender) this is used in holding the reels
- Sanrin (metallic peg)
During patterning, the cotton reels are hanged upon the hangers on the sets of the metallic pegs on the ground. The reason for this is to make the cotton into bundles.

WEAVING:
After the above has been put in place, the actual weaving starts. The rolled cotton will be neatly inserted into the striker through the extenders. The weaver will tie Iro (filler) on his seat. There are to or more holes on the staff in which a small peg is tagged. On the upper hand of the Omu (Extenders), there is Okeke (Wheel or Axle) for pulling the Omu up and down. There are two step pedals under the extenders (Omu) which the weaver presses down interchangeably during weaving. The pedal when pressed enables the cotton to open and the Reeler put through to one side while the Striker knocks the reel to and fro to another side. This Striker allows the reel to be finely set interchangeably. The weaver handles the Oko (Motor) throws it inside the open cotton to be received by his other hand, movement of the Motor continues and faster as if the weaver is not touching it at all. The reel inside the motor will start giving a peculiar sound.
Sakala - si - sakala - sa
Sakala - si - sakala - sa

As the weaver continues this way, the cloth is weaved and gradually extends forward. The weaver uses the drawer to pull the cloth towards himself and the carrier obeys the force and moves towards him while weaving continues. Aso-Oke is indeed a beautiful sight to behold and that's why it is such a wonder how, as cottons in few minutes become Aso-Oke., however the clothes goes by different names depending on the type, texture and quality.

Some of us are, well, color-challenged. We know what colors we like, but we're not always sure that this color goes with that one. Trying to choose your wedding colors may seem a bit daunting, especially if you aren’t particularly visually oriented or your partner is color-blind and absolutely no help. Yet it’s really quite easy.

Most people base their wedding colors on a favorite shade or favorite flower. You’ll want to choose one primary and one or two accents. Start off by seeing if there are any predetermined factors:

Are you set on having a particular flower?

Have you already chosen your bridesmaid dresses?

What colors are the families choosing as their aso-ebi?

Have you already chosen the colors for the reception or ceremony site?

Does either the reception or ceremony site have strong colors

If so, you’re halfway to finding your wedding colors. If not, start by thinking about the season when your ceremony will take place. Harmattan affairs usually include bright colors such as wine, turquoise and pink. Dry season suggests deep colors like purples, burgundies, grey-greens, and silvers. Rainy season brings harvest tones - oranges, reds, and yellows.

What to avoid:

Too much black - while sophisticated, it can end up looking like a funeral, rather than a celebration. If you love black, balance it out with a bright color like pink, turquoise, lemon green or lots of crisp white.

Losing your personality - Don’t just do pastels because I’ve suggested it above. Think about what you wear normally in your clothing and the shades you’ve used to decorate your home. These are probably colors you are comfortable around already.

Picking too many wedding colors - two are perfect, and three will still work, but any more than three wedding colors will end up looking ununified and strange except if it is monochromatic. The purpose of wedding colors is to tie everything together, and the best way to do this is to have everything in one of two shades.

Suggestions:

You can choose a complementary or contrasting color, and even a triad (with base and two complimentary colors). It allows you to vary the shade of your base color and the degree of contrast with others. If you have a favorite shade, but don’t know what else will go with it, try checking my matching colors on the above website.

Consider going monochromatic; many shades of one color. A bride I worked with used 5 different shades of blue for her aso-ebi, and it was very beautiful and colorful.

Or consider having related tones; ones adjacent to each other on the color wheel. A bride I’m assisting now is wearing purple buba and iro with sweet pink as the ipele & gele, her fiancée is wearing purple danshiki. You might also consider green and yellow, or red and blue.

Consider having complementary shades- located opposite each other on the color wheel. For example, lavender and pale yellow, or forest green and burgundy.

If you really love one hue in particular, you might want to highlight it among neutrals. Such as purple and cream or off-white, butter gold and rose jubilee.